RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Autosomal recessive hypercholesterolemia is a rare inherited disorder, characterized by extremely high total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, that has been previously linked to mutations in LDLRAP1. We identified a family with autosomal recessive hypercholesterolemia not explained by mutations in LDLRAP1 or other genes known to cause monogenic hypercholesterolemia. The aim of this study was to identify the molecular pathogenesis of autosomal recessive hypercholesterolemia in this family. APPROACH AND RESULTS: We used exome sequencing to assess all protein-coding regions of the genome in 3 family members and identified a homozygous exon 8 splice junction mutation (c.894G>A, also known as E8SJM) in LIPA that segregated with the diagnosis of hypercholesterolemia. Because homozygosity for mutations in LIPA is known to cause cholesterol ester storage disease, we performed directed follow-up phenotyping by noninvasively measuring hepatic cholesterol content. We observed abnormal hepatic accumulation of cholesterol in the homozygote individuals, supporting the diagnosis of cholesterol ester storage disease. Given previous suggestions of cardiovascular disease risk in heterozygous LIPA mutation carriers, we genotyped E8SJM in >27 000 individuals and found no association with plasma lipid levels or risk of myocardial infarction, confirming a true recessive mode of inheritance. CONCLUSIONS: By integrating observations from Mendelian and population genetics along with directed clinical phenotyping, we diagnosed clinically unapparent cholesterol ester storage disease in the affected individuals from this kindred and addressed an outstanding question about risk of cardiovascular disease in LIPA E8SJM heterozygous carriers.
Asunto(s)
Enfermedad de Acumulación de Colesterol Éster/genética , Análisis Mutacional de ADN , Exoma , Pruebas Genéticas/métodos , Hipercolesterolemia/genética , Mutación , Esterol Esterasa/genética , Adulto , Biomarcadores/sangre , Colesterol/sangre , Enfermedad de Acumulación de Colesterol Éster/sangre , Enfermedad de Acumulación de Colesterol Éster/diagnóstico , HDL-Colesterol/sangre , LDL-Colesterol/sangre , Femenino , Predisposición Genética a la Enfermedad , Herencia , Homocigoto , Humanos , Hipercolesterolemia/sangre , Hipercolesterolemia/diagnóstico , Modelos Lineales , Hígado/metabolismo , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Linaje , Fenotipo , Valor Predictivo de las Pruebas , Análisis de Componente Principal , Triglicéridos/sangre , Adulto Joven , Hiperlipoproteinemia Tipo IIIRESUMEN
Plant-based oral vaccines are a promising emergent technology that could help alleviate disease burden worldwide by providing a low-cost, heat-stable, oral alternative to parenterally administered commercial vaccines. Here, we describe high-level accumulation of the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) at a mean concentration of 0.51%TSP in maize T1 seeds using an improved version of the globulin1 promoter. This concentration is more than fourfold higher than any previously reported lines. HBsAg expressed in maize seeds was extremely heat stable, tolerating temperatures up to 55 °C for 1 month without degradation. Optimal heat stability was achieved after oil extraction of ground maize material, either by supercritical fluid extraction or hexane treatment. The contributions of this material towards the development of a practical oral vaccine delivery system are discussed.